The Potential of mHealth for Disease Prevention and Control in the Pacific Islands. The example of trachoma as a use-case

Abstract

Introduction. The increase of mobile phone use across the globe is creating mounting interest for its use to address health system constraints. Although limited, there is growing evidence of success of using mobile phones for health (mHealth) in low- and middle- income countries. The promise of mHealth presents a huge potential for the Pacific Island countries. Because of this, it is necessary to understand the factors that would facilitate and inhibit the adoption of mHealth in the region. Methods: A systematic review was undertaken to understand the efficacy of using short message service (SMS) or text message to change behaviours in low- and middle- income countries. The study also employed the use of qualitative research methodology to synthesise learnings and ideas among key informants on how to adopt mHealth in the Pacific Islands region. Conclusion. This thesis offers an examination of the key elements necessary for scale-up of mHealth interventions in the region as well as the complex challenges that implementers face in the adoption of this innovation. The results also indicated useful recommendations for mHealth behaviour change initiatives and identified the key roles that non-government organisations play in the adoption of mHealth interventions. This study also suggests the potential use of mobile phones to support and advance trachoma control initiatives in the region. The use of mobile phones has the potential to improve health service delivery on a large scale in the region if it is implemented correctly and brought to scale. This study hopes to serve as an impetus to guide the planning and implementation of mHealth initiatives that will benefit the communities of the Pacific Islands.